Blog
By Samuel Mather-Holgate The UK mortgage market has entered a new phase — and if you’re a homebuyer in Swindon, you may now be able to borrow more than you thought. Since Rachel Reeves’ Mansion House speech, many lenders have begun relaxing their lending criteria, especially for first-time buyers. At the same time, major rate…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate Swindon’s property market is making headlines: average prices now sit at £259,000 — up 3.6% year-on-year — while first-time buyers are paying around £222,000, a 3.8% increase. Rents have surged too, averaging £1,053 a month — a nearly 10% hike, say ONS. But why are prices rising in Swindon more sharply than…
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Local financial advice firm backs community-led regeneration project Mather & Murray Financial, a well-established financial planning firm originally founded in Swindon, is proud to announce its move to a new office in the heart of Cricklade – a town close to our hearts. Cricklade isn’t just our new business address – it’s where our story…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate As rumours swirl about the UK Government potentially cutting the annual Cash ISA allowance from £20,000 to just £10,000, savers across the country are rightly concerned. With interest rates still elevated and the cost of living squeezing household budgets, tax-free savings remain a vital tool — not just for investors, but for…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate In a year of economic uncertainty, many homeowners and buyers are asking the same question: should I fix my mortgage rate now, or wait? With interest rates held at 4.25% and speculation swirling about when they’ll fall again, it’s not an easy decision. Add in global tensions, rising oil prices, and inflationary…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate On Thursday 19 June, the Bank of England (BoE) will make one of its most closely watched decisions of the year — whether to change interest rates or hold steady at 4.25%. And while the headline decision is likely to be “no change”, that doesn’t mean this moment lacks importance. In fact,…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate The Triple Lock has long been seen as the gold standard of pension protection — a guarantee that the State Pension will rise each year to help pensioners keep pace with the cost of living. But as the UK faces growing pressure to manage public finances, many are asking: Is the Triple…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate Still have UK pensions, ISAs, or other investments? Just because you’ve moved to Mallorca doesn’t mean your financial planning should stop at the border. At Mather & Murray Financial, we help UK expats living in Spain — especially here in beautiful Mallorca — stay on track with their financial goals. Why UK…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate With higher interest rates and market volatility dominating the financial headlines, many people are asking a familiar question with new urgency:Should I put my money in a Cash ISA or a Stocks & Shares ISA in 2025? Both types of ISAs allow you to grow your money free from income tax, capital…
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By Samuel Mather-Holgate Annuities — once considered unfashionable in the post-pension-freedom era — are firmly back in favour. According to the BBC’s Money Box programme, annuity sales have surged by 83% since 2020, a remarkable turnaround for a retirement product many had written off. So, what’s driving the revival? And more importantly, should you be…
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